74:03 December 17, 2021

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Friday December 17, 2021

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“To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake it is necessary to stand out in the cold.” - Aristotle

Changes in security cause changes in student life Campus intruder, 29 year old Dylan Thoele made his way onto the campus of Ventura High School and approached students multiple times throughout November and December. In an interview with VHS teacher Craig Carey and VHS assistant principal Mera Clobes, Clobes said, “He had no affiliation to this campus.” Carey clarified, “They [the intruder] claimed to be a substitute teacher when I asked to talk to them. We are not able to produce any form ID. He [the intruder] gave lots of different stories. Depending on who had asked him what he was doing there [VHS campus]. He said I’m a student, I’m somebody’s boyfriend and I’m a substitute teacher. All of which are untrue.”

Clobes gave a detailed account of what happened that day. Clobes said, “I entered campus about 7:15 a.m. in the morning and as I was walking up to the office door, I passed him by. […] Then immediately saw the campus security trailing him.” Clobes had a bad feeling about the man, she said, “They [campus office workers] had called the police. This gentle man was approaching young ladies. [...]

Campus supervisors followed him as he left campus and I also followed.”

It is important to note that at 7:15 a.m. school is not officially in session. VHS’ first period starts at 7:36 a.m.

While class is not in session, it is normal for students to be arriving on campus during the time the intruder first entered the campus.

Senior Elise Sisk, a member of The Cougar Press, had an encounter with the intruder in the morning of Nov. 23. Sisk said, “A man approached me and my sister and mumbled something at us. All I could understand was him asking us if we were free this weekend and I hustled us away from him.” If a student has an interaction with a campus intruder Sisk advises students to, “Get out if it as soon as possible, just avoid any interaction and stay safe.”

F r e s h m a n Madison Sisk, sister of Elise Sisk, said, “It was pretty obvious he was not a high school student so I was kind of weirded out he was mumbling something about us being free this weekend for a school project. I kept walking into the band room. Later, when I was on my way to my math class.

I saw him talking to some other girls and following them around, probably doing the same thing. I left because my math class wasn’t open yet, later when I went back after the bell rang he was gone.”

Freshman Madison Sisk said, “It made me feel uncomfortable [the intruder], especially when I saw him going up to other girls.” Graphic by: Alejandro Hernandez

Carey informed The Cougar Press that the intruder returned after leaving the first time during break. Carey said, “I was posted up here [in the 50s and 60s wing] and some students noticed there was a guy on campus who did not belong. They were super perceptive and alert about it.

They came directly to me to let me know, which is exactly what they should be doing. [...]

So I notified admin that I was about to engage and escorted him from the premises.”

Carey continued, “I made a point that he understood he was being directed in a specific direction and any strain from the direction that indicated was not an option. [...] He did try to jump the fence at one point and I did physically prevent him from doing so.”

Volume 74 Edition 03

What’s online?

New campus security changes brought on by reported campus intruders

The Cougar Press

@thecougarpress

Photo by: Julian Martinez

VHS students are taking action by posting and reposting warnings on their social media accounts in order to protect their friends from the intruder. Screenshot from: Avery Cameron

Sophomore Rayanna Owens Lopez, had an interaction with the intruder the second time he was on campus during break.

Break on regular days are from 10:35-10:50 a.m. She accounts her interaction with the intruder, she said, “I first made strange eye contact with the guy then once he noticed I saw him he walked over to me and my friend, Julie Munoz.” The intruder spoke to the sophomores. Owens Lopez said, “He starts to tell me that he was a new student and just trying to fit in.”

This immediately raised red flags in Owen Lopez’s mind.

The intruder went on to tell her that his name is Daniel.

However, The Cougar Press is unable to clarify this. Owen Lopez explains, “When he was talking to me I felt very uncomfortable because I knew this guy wasn’t a high schooler.” Owens Lopez further said, “He was clearly a grown man trying to talk to high school girls.”

A statement on behalf of Principal Marissa Cervantes was on Dec. 7, “Good afternoon Ventura High staff and families, This message is being sent on behalf of Principal Cervantes. We are reaching out to notify you of a situation that occurred on campus today. A man was on campus earlier attempting to inappropriately approach students. Students notified our staff immediately, who then mobilized the team to ensure the safety of students. Ventura Police were also notified and immediately began an investigation. The students that were approached are all safe, and their families have been notified. This message aims not to frighten but to inform so that everyone can learn from the quick work of our students. As we always say, if you see something that does not belong or concerns you, say something. That is what happened this morning and we want to thank our

students for doing so. If your student was approached but did not say anything to our campus staff, please reach out as soon as possible. At this time Ventura police continues their investigation, and there is no new information to share, but we would like to thank them for their continued work in keeping our community safe. We take the safety of our students very seriously and, as a community, will continue to work hatred to provide a safe space for all. Please know that we have counselors available on campus if you feel nervous, anxious, or concerned about this situation.

So please just come by and make an appointment If you have additional questions, please reach out to our school administrators by calling 805-641-5116.

Thank you, Marianna Quiroz Communications Director.”

Thoele was arrested for child luring.

During the times that the intruder was on campus on Nov. 23 and Dec. 7 no lockdown was called. When asked why, Clobes took a long pause before answering, “That’s a good question. He [did not] present as a physical threat. Had he presented a weapon I would have called that lockdown immediately.

He was not a physical threat and we had him very quickly both times.”

Opinion: The Truth about Fast Fashion

Photo by: Sophia Denzler

Battle of the languages

Graphic by: Avery Cameron

Opinion: Pick me, choose me, love me

Continued on... thecougarpress.org

thecougarpress.org Photo from: @vhs.tea.page

VHS Instagram accounts take their stand

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On Campus

Green slips are a go: New bathroom policies in place at Ventura High

With the removal of wooden passes, the controversy surrounding the new bathroom policies by the administration persists.

Ava Mohror Olive Kranzler Alejandro Hernandez

Teachers have been asked by administration to handwrite single use bathroom passes if a student needs to use the restroom. Students cannot use the restroom for the first and last ten minutes of the period, and two students cannot go at the same time.

Bathrooms in the portables are now being locked during break and lunch, and other restrooms throughout the school are unavailable for student use throughout the school day.

Students have been voicing their concern for these new policies.

Sophomore Kinda Mehael said, “I honestly don’t like it. They’re making us feel like we’re not trustworthy enough to go to the BATHROOM. As high schoolers, we should be able to go to the bathroom without a pass.”

“We aren’t criminals, why are we being punished for the actions that belong to someone else?” said senior Damien Gonzalez Aguilera.

However, according to Principal Marissa Cervantes, there is a different reasoning behind the new green passes.

Cervantes said, “We changed to the green slips because of concerns from staff, students and parents about the need for more sanitary passes especially during these COVID times.”

Some students aren’t strictly against this change in policy. “I think the new bathroom passes are fine, it’s a little more of a problem with teachers since they have to write it. In theory it would stop kids from just going wherever which I am for and allows the teacher to know where the student is in case of an emergency. I am not for them or against them, but I believe they are better than the old passes,” said sophomore Laird Pidduck.

Through this controversy, the majority of VHS students agree with Mehael, and are not in favor of the new passes. Shown through an Instagram poll taken through @the.cougar.press on Nov. 20, of 160 students, 153 students (96 percent) are not in favor, while only seven students (four percent) are.

These results show that most VHS students, at least those polled, are against the new

passes.

According to a poll of 50 VHS staff members via Google Forms, 46 percent said they preferred using green bathroom slips over wooden passes, while 46 percent said they didn’t. Eight percent had no opinion. English teacher Erik Votruba said, “I think the handwritten pass policy is a step in the right direction, but still likely a work in progress.”

The new passes aren’t the only change in bathroom policy at VHS. For a couple months now, the portable’s bathrooms have been locked during break and lunch, along with other bathrooms unavailable throughout the school day. An anonymous staff member said, “We should not be locking bathrooms; the administration should develop a better system for monitoring these areas to ensure both access and safety.”

Cervantes said, “The restroom near ASB is not permanently closed but does require closing often for repairs and/or cleaning due to vandalism and other student caused damage.”

According to ed code, restrooms must remain open when students are not in class. However, it also states that restrooms may be temporarily closed for the safety of students. As stated in The Cougar Press’s latest

bathroom article, the reason why the portable bathrooms are closed is that, “No students are allowed to be in that area [the portables] during breaks and lunch,” according to campus supervisor Carlos Perez. Even if this decision was made with the student’s best interest in mind, the closing of the bathrooms has thus far not been temporary.

Ed code also states that there needs to be one toilet for every 40 students. There

one toilet for 1,000 students when there needs to be at least 25.

During nutrition and lunch, there are seven girl’s stalls open between the 90s wing restroom and the 50/60s wing restroom. If 1,000 students use the girls’ restrooms, that is roughly one toilet for every 142 students, well over the one toilet per 40 students rule.

Students and staff have varying opinions on the

The new bathroom pass for Schatzi Sovich’s classroom. By placing a layer of tape over it and adding a lanyard, this paper passed can be reused for multiple students. Photo by: Ava Mohror

are roughly 2,000 students enrolled at VHS. Assuming that half of students use the boy’s restroom, and given that the restroom open during break and lunch often has only one toilet available, that would mean that there would be only

new green pass policy and the changes regarding bathroom availability. These topics have been the talk of the school, and are yet to be determined helpful or not for student safety. The issue may be discussed at the Student Forum on Dec. 9.

Getting VUSD to recognize a preferred name becomes easier…kinda Students who request a name change don’t always get it changed on their ID cards

Rachel Gonzalez Rowan Muñoz Students do not always feel a connection to the name they are given at birth. This is especially true for students a part of the LGBTQ+ community. A name change is sometimes necessary for their overall mental health.

A study done by The Trevor Project called the National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health 2020, it was recorded that 40 percent of LGBTQIA+ respondants have seriously considered suicide with more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth having seriously considered suicide. This taken into account it is more than an important issue. Making sure that Ventura High School has accommodations for their LGBTQIA+ students should

be a priority to ensure that VHS students don’t run into these troubling thoughts of suicide.

Although having a name changed in a teacher’s roster at Ventura High School has been made easier, it is a different story when it comes to ID cards. The school ID is a versatile card. It allows students to have certain privileges, such as allowing students to borrow books and get into school events.

In order for VHS students to have their preferred name on their teachers rosters, students must fill out a form given to them by their counselors. This form does not ask for a parent’s consent.

However, getting a students name changed on their ID card may include persistence and an extra step.

For ID purposes, Ventura Unified School District does not get a preferred name if a student changes

it in their school’s system unless strictly requested.

This causes a problem with students figuring out their identity, especially ones in the transgender community.

Rowan Muñoz (they/she) In my experience, when I got my school ID picture taken, the photographers said that they had to use what the district gave them, which was an outdated list. As they told me that, I thought at that moment, ‘But I changed my name in the system? I thought that the district would get my preferred name with all the students coming out.’

But it was clear that wasn’t the case.

School counselor Kathryn Raney said, “It used to be really difficult to get your name changed […] but it has become streamlined now; where if a student has a name that better represents them as a

person, they are able to change it quickly.”

After leaving, I took the situation to my counselor to see if I could have my name on my ID. When I did, they took the ID to one of the vice principals to get it done. As of Nov. 10, the date of my updated ID coming is unknown, but it has been estimated to come in the week of Nov. 15 to 19. As of Nov. 12, the ID came and is updated with my preferred name.

Additionally, I think correcting your name on your ID is important because it gives consistency in that context where you have your name in the school system and your teachers’ roster.

No matter what a person’s gender identity or sexuality is, it’s important to be at least somewhat views Continued on... thecougarpress.org

Mission Statement

If anyone is interested in changing their name in the VHS school system, talking to their counselor is necessary.

Infographic by: Rachel Gonzalez

The Cougar Press is a completely student-run, public forum of the Ventura High School community.

We strive to present all sides of an issue fairly and without bias while being as resourceful to our readers as possible. From time to time, we make an error. When this happens, we try to correct it as soon as possible. Students and community members are encouraged to write for The Cougar Press and to submit photos and videos. We welcome all submissions but may edit them for clarity and brevity.

This public forum is only as good as the community support it receives.

Contact us at thecougarpressvhs@gmail.com

Opinion

The Cougar Press Page 3

Styles crushing stereotypes with his style Harry Styles, and why VHS students believe he is one of the most influential artists of this generation

Brody Daw

Harry Styles: whether you know him from his boy band era or his current “Love On Tour” era, he has become an influential person in today’s society. He is often dubbed a fashion trailblazer in the music industry and is widely known for crushing societal expectations of gender expression.

Ventura High School students are in awe of Styles and his music, 57 percent voted on an Instagram a poll from

@the.cougar.press that they love him as an artist and person.

Through his style expression, Styles strives to break down toxic masculinity standards and favor the idea that clothing has no gender. But he isn’t the first to do so. Today’s society is infinitely more knowledgeable on topics such as the gender binary and gender expression.

Artists such as Lenny Kravitz, Prince and David Bowie were born in a time that didn’t fully accept this. Styles has encouraged his fans across the globe to feel more confident in

Harry Styles in Los Angeles, for his Love on Tour on November 17, 2021 Photo by: Daniela Arista, Tik Tok @daneliaarista or Instagram @itsdanelia

themselves.

“He has inspired me to be a kinder person to myself, that I shouldn’t take everything so personally because, in the end, it will all work out and will be okay. He also inspired me to express myself,” said junior Cece Perez.

Styles has been gaining popularity ever since his time in One Direction. “I love him because he is himself,” said Perez, “He is one of the most genuine celebrities. He is a big ally to the LGBTQIA+ community and the BLM movement, which I really admire. He does not have the toxic masculinity vibe, and he expresses his femininity through an ambiguous fashion sense.”

Styles’ iconic sense of style has fans awaiting his next look, “I really like his fashion sense and how original he is,’’ said junior Mya Sherman.

Style’s recent “Harryween’’ costume, Dorothy, was definitely memorable, “I love it,” said freshman fan Olivia Mobley.

Although many see his femininity or androgynous style as revolutionary, Styles still has the privileges that

Op-Ed

Harry Styles singing, “Golden” Jumbo trons allowing fans to see Styles from the back of the crowds Photo by: Ava Mohror

come with being a white male. BIPOC individuals and activists who have been at the forefront of the movements to demolish the gender binary receive much less recognition.

This is partly because today’s society has recognized and made lengths to destroy the homophobia that has been woven throughout history. We still have a way to go, but for now, Styles can take advantage of this privilege and use it to reach as many teens and fans as possible. “His music has gotten me through some of the hardest times,” Perez said.

Styles has provided safe spaces for Queer and LGBTQIA+ communities. In addition, he has helped fans come out. Through waving Pride flags at concerts, and making donations to gay, lesbian straight, education network (GLSEN) he has raised awareness. In his July 2018 concert, in LA he famously proclaimed, “we are all a little bit gay.”

Continued on... thecougarpress.org

Letter to the editor: Girls waterpolo

A response recieved by The Cougar Press on Dec 8, 2021 in response to “VHS girls water polo players are sick of the oversexualization in their sport.”

In response to an article published on Oct. 22, 2021 in The Cougar Press about our girls water polo coaches and the culture of our team, we want to address the false and misleading claims.

First,

“At the moment coaches have refused to interview with The Cougar Press”

To date (12/8/2021), no one from our coaching staff has been asked for an interview.

“Ventura High school girls water polo players have decided to make a statement because of the sexualization of their sport at the hands of their coaches.”

Actually, it’s a CIF and NFHS rule that we are trying to follow.

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“[Coaches are] sexualizing what we are wearing, saying how revealing our suits are that were actually given to us by the athletics program.”

The individuals on the team have a choice regarding their swim suit style and the size, with varying amounts of body coverage.

“One of the coaches told a player ‘Oh my gosh this is why you should pull your suit out of your a$* and that is so disgusting.’ Talking about my teammate after she got out of the pool. ‘How could a grown adult ever call a high school girl disgusting?’”

A single student “heard” her own version of this comment. Unfortunately, she didn’t hear the coach correctly. She saw the coach

Editors

make a hand gesture and heard the word “disgusting.”

However, this word was used

by Coach Amber to express frustration for having to repeat herself about the infraction of this rule so often and not toward any one individual or players on the team.

“Why can the boys wear Speedos but the girls can’t wear one piece without being sexualized?”

Other athletes wear their uniforms properly and without issue. The CIF and NFHS rule 2-4 states that girls must have their breasts and buttocks (regardless of gender) completely covered while in play and on the pool deck. As coaches, we must adhere to the rules, even if they haven’t always been addressed and enforced in the past. It is

Managing EIC

Assistant Managing

Greta Pankratz

Caroline Marsden

Elise Sisk

Social Media

Broadcast

Online

Livia Vertucci

Avery Cameron and Sophia Nacu

Jocelyn Wood

our job to set standards for the team. Inappropriate behavior needs to be addressed and failure to do so puts a team at risk of disqualification or forfeit.

“The situation between the team member and the coach has been talked through and sorted with the respective parties.”

This isn’t completely true either. The coaches have attended several meetings and listened to many concerns and various claims.

The coaches apologized for the situation and for the use of the word “disgusting.” Again, this word was never aimed at any individual person. …

However, the false narrative/ campaign about “body shaming” that was attached to a coach and more broadly

our coaching staff has gone without consequence. To date actually, no one has apologized to the coaches for making these false claims, for twisting Coach Amber’s words…or for spreading these falsehoods around campus and beyond through social media.

“Respect starts with caring about how you conduct yourself and how you treat people. As a coach, I believe it is important for respect to go both ways between the players and coach in order to have a successful relationship.

I coach because I love it and I am still here coaching because I love watching players grow.”

–Coach Amber Coach Amber and Coach Cherrie VHS Girls Water Polo 2021

Staff Avea Baker Jade Buck Brody Daw Adi De Clerck Sophia Denzler Isabella Fierros Gisselle Garcia Halle Gentry Rachel Gonzalez

Alejandro Hernandez Belen Hibbler Olive Kranzler Joseph Lombardo Tyler Lopez Julian Martinez Ava Mohror Rowan Muñoz Emily Nguyen

Distractions

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Graphic by: Avea Baker

Graphic by: Avea Baker

Graphic by: Avea Baker

Graphic by: Elise Sisk

Graphic by: Jocelyn Wood

Cougar Catnips

Jocelyn Wood

Joseph Lombardo

Rachel Gonzalez

Alejandro Hernandez

Why does my brain gotta put this song on replay?

Sweatsuit? More like sweat-poot. STOP WEARING THIS.

Get your prioities straight VHS.

The mouse’s greed strikes again.

I think many people can agree that when you get a song, a lyric or even a beat stuck in your head it is one of the most annoying things ever. Sometimes my friends will sing a sound from TikTok and it’ll be stuck in my head all day. My friends get annoyed with me because I keep singing it over and over. If it’s annoying for them, think about how I must feel! I can’t stop hearing the song in my head. It is stuck and nothing stops it unless I get a new song stuck in my head.

It’s so sad to see such great potential be wasted with sweatpants. People seem to think that just because it’s fall time and it’s getting a little bit colder, they can give up on dressing themselves properly.

It’s really disappointing, honestly. It’s sad to see fashion taking a dip when fall fashion can be so spectacular. So many great designer brands put out great outfits for you to show off during the orange and red season. Just remember, matching your grey sweatshirt to your grey sweatpants and your slip on Vans leads to a grey fall, which no one needs.

The wall next to the Graham Pool has a new mural with “Graham Pool” in bold letters. Graham Pool got its name from Dorothy Graham, the longtime swim instructor, as a thank you for her fundraising efforts. The new mural adds spice to the campus while honoring Dorothy Graham. Having a new beautiful mural on campus is great but I wish our school would spend money on fixing the bathrooms instead. Having usable hand dyers and sinks is more of a priority to me than the school’s new decorations (new benches and a new mural). Get your priorities straight VHS.

Just when we thought 2021 cinematography couldn’t get any worse, it ends off on a bad note. That is, the movie “Home Sweet Home Alone.” It’s even worse than the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul” movie. Archie Yates (who plays Max) is no match for Macaulay Culkin (who played Kevin). I thought that “Home Alone 3” and “Home Alone 4” were bad. The “Home Alone” series was already milked before the days of Disney+, and who better than the mouse himself (aka Disney) to milk the final drops of creativity in the series once and for all.